Just because I'm crazy doesn't mean I'm wrong.

I’ve tried writing something several times - and yet I find myself at a loss for words. Not normal for me. I wrote this song for David for our 15th anniversary. We’d been through infertility, losing a house, and me being...me, and came out better on the other side. The song was my promise that we’d be ok without children if that’s what God had in mind. Less than 3 months later, we got our boys, Wyatt and Levi. The song has new meaning to me every year. Here it is: http://soundcloud.com/user-278211553/weve-got-it-all-right-here

As a parent, it drives me insane when my kids don’t obey. In those moments, it gives me insight into how God the Father must feel when we don’t listen and obey. I have a really great job - and part of it is that I get to lead worship in chapel at a Christian school for elementary and middle school students. Not long ago, our principal set up what she called a listening chapel. She had an awesome Pastor lead it. During different sounds (like waves crashing on a shore or a campfire crackling, for example) and in silence, [...]

A nap. Five minutes in the bathroom uninterrupted. The ability to sleep in on a Saturday. A hot meal you don’t have to share with anyone. A phone call without yelling at the kids. I’m sure these are all things we moms daydream about on occasion. Could someone wrap these things up for us on Valentine’s Day? Perhaps these are the best gifts! Continue reading at Portland Moms Blog.

Beth & I are wrapping up our love series today. I’ve been thinking about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, as we observe his birthday. I spoke with a friend recently who marched with him. At the time, my friend was an 11 year old boy. I cried as he told the story of how Dr. King took a rock to the head from an angry onlooker, but kept marching. Our kids love who we love. They’ll hate who we hate. Dr. King’s dream did not die with him. His death will not be in vain. It’s up to US. [...]

Beth and I are looking at 1 Corinthians 13:7 This verse reminded me of Psalm 100:5, “For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” How can anything endure every circumstance? How can something endure forever? It must be divine. That is the only explanation. It is FACT that there has never been a moment if your life that you have been unloved. Even in your darkest hour. At your worst. When you felt alone. When you were afraid. In your doubt. In your pain. In your guilt. In your best day. In [...]

New Years resolutions are inevitable. Even when I say I’m not going to make them, I’m unintentionally making a resolution to not make resolutions! I hear the same things every year, too. Lose weight. Travel more. Try new things. Volunteer more. Spend more time with the family. There has to be a way of setting goals that inspires us to become the best version of ourselves, but aren’t unrealistic and don’t make us feel like failures if they go unaccomplished. Here is my list of five realistic goals I’m setting for myself in 2018. Continue reading at Portland Moms Blog [...]

Beth and I are contuing our look at love in 1 Corinthians 13:7. Were looking at how love is “always hopeful”. But what do you do when it hurts to hope? Yesterday was our “gotcha day”, and the fact it falls on New Years Eve adds an extra element of celebration. (It was the 3rd anniversary of our adoption being finalized.) Whenever I hear the word “hope” I’m haunted by memories of the pain I felt because it hurt to hope. Your doctors tell you there is little hope for bearing children. Your body is another year older and betrays [...]